Southeast

It feels a bit odd that my first thoughts at The Checking Line are not about my beloved Penguins of Pittsburgh, but Chuck Gaston, Jr., did such a good job discussing their off-season to date that it’s best for me to look a little closer to my current home of Charlotte, NC, and the Carolina Hurricanes. For those relatively unfamiliar with the Canes, they landed in Raleigh, NC, in 1999 after moving from Hartford, CT, in 1997 and spending two seasons playing in Greensboro, NC.

They’re the only pro team from the four major North American sports in Raleigh, and they’ve cultivated a devoted following (Caniacs) and an in-house atmosphere at the RBC Center that’s ver...